Mapping Mountains – Trimble Surveys – Mynydd Epynt

 

02.11.24  Cae Gwar y Tŷ (SO 035 495) 

LIDAR image of Cae Gwar y Tŷ (SO 035 495)

Today, Charles and I attended the funeral of Moira Brown in Builth Wells.  Moira was married to Iain for 54 years, and as well as showing our respect to Moira it was also a gesture of support on our part to Iain, who for many years was a stalwart of the hill bagging community.  After the funeral we gathered in the Greyhound Hotel for food and conversation.

Before heading back to Welshpool we ventured to the hills.  Over the last week a high pressure system had been firmly stuck over the country, giving settled, albeit grey skies with little direct sunshine.  Such conditions can give cloud inversions on the higher hills, but can also give murky conditions with cloud nestled on the lower hills.  We planned on doing two small walks, with our second walk taking in a hill listed as a Pedwar, which is in the 400m height band, and thankfully on our approach to Builth all such hills were clear of cloud.  Our first walk took in a hill lower in height and with only a slight diversion on a narrow lane; it was on our way to the higher hill. 

Just sufficient space off the narrow lane not to obstruct other vehicles

The Tithe map gives the name of the field where the high point of this hill is situated as Cae Gwar y Tŷ.  A fine field name and one that is appropriate to use for listing purposes.  We wanted as quick an ascent as possible as daylight hours were quickly fading, therefore having LIDAR’ed the hill I decided that although I had the Trimble, I would forgo surveying its summit. 

Charles approaching the summit

The high point of the hill is positioned close to a minor road and in the main protected from any direct ascent from its east by hedges.  However, there is now a copse of woodland that stretches from the lane adjacent to grazing fields toward its summit.  The entrance to the woodland is open and opposite there is just enough space to pull a car off the lane on to the grass verge.  This was our starting point. 

The Trimble GeoXH 6000 positioned at the summit of Cae Gwar y Tŷ

It only took a few minutes to get our gear together and enter the wood.  Low branches were avoided as we made our way through and between the trees, and we were soon straddling the low hung barb wired fence and standing on the summit of the hill. 

Charles beside the Larch tree near the summit

Although not planning to Trimble the summit I set the equipment up on my rucksack to at least take a few photos of it.  During this Charles headed in to the wood for our descent, but before heading down, he stood beside an elegantly coloured Larch tree for the customary autumnal photograph. 

Heading down through the wood to the lane below

All that remained was the walk back through the wood to the awaiting car, avoiding any low hanging branches on our way.  It had taken seven minutes to visit this hill and that included taking a number of photographs whilst on or near the summit. 

 

Survey Result:

 

Cae Gwar y Tŷ (significant name change)      

Summit Height:  232.8m (LIDAR) (significant height revision)

Summit Grid Reference:  SO 03502 49537 & SO 03504 49535 (LIDAR) (summit relocation)

Col Height:  198.4m (LIDAR)

Col Grid Reference:  SO 03391 49083 (LIDAR)

Drop:  34.4m (LIDAR)

Dominance:  14.786% (LIDAR) 

 

 

For further details please consult the Trimble Survey Spreadsheet